05/26/2026
Rising Life Expectancy Means More Years at Risk
Americans are living longer — and that is directly increasing the likelihood that you or your loved ones will need long-term care.
According to the the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's official data, life expectancy at birth rose to 78.4 years in 2023, and a person who reaches age 65 can now expect to live nearly 20 additional years. You can review the data directly in the National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief on U.S. Life Expectancy.
Those additional years are not all healthy years. The longer you live, the greater the probability of developing chronic illness, cognitive decline, or physical limitations that require assistance with daily activities.
That is the key driver behind the growing demand for long-term care.
The Probability You Will Need Long-Term Care Is High
The most authoritative projections come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Rising Life Expectancy Means More Years at Risk Americans are living longer — and that is directly increasing t